This year, Emirates’ renowned Marquee at the Melbourne Cup Carnival has been inspired by the east meets west city hub and cosmopolitan travel destination, Dubai.

A renewed focus for Australian travellers with the announcement of the recent Qantas partnership, Dubai is known as both the Pearl of the East and the City of the Future. In 2013, the Principal Partner of the Emirates Melbourne Cup will take guests on a cultural journey through its home city at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.

Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said the 2013 Melbourne Cup Carnival will highlight the many aspects of Dubai to an Australian audience, from the rich culture and tradition of the Al Fahidi Fort to the modern Burj Al Arab.

“With more and more Australians visiting and enjoying Dubai as a destination in its own right, and as a perfect stop over en-route to more than 130 Emirates destinations around the world coupled with our recent Qantas partnership, there is no better time to celebrate Dubai as the theme for the Emirates Marquee,” commented Mr Clark.

Seamlessly blending a colour palette of the warm ochre of the Dubai desert and traditional architecture, with the red, gold and white synonymous with Emirati culture, the Marquee will deliver an unparalleled experience for guests.

Australia’s highest definition LED screen will make its debut in the marquee, providing the perfect canvas to showcase Dubai’s modern and innovative identity. Already the birdcage’s largest and most impressive, the Emirates Marquee facade, featuring traditional wind towers, will stand a nine metres from the ground. The whole marquee has been raised an additional metre from last year which will continue to offer guests the best view of the racecourse from their coveted trackside balcony.

The exterior will echo the traditional architecture of Dubai’s historic buildings, while inside guests will experience an exciting blend of old and new, featuring fabrics, furnishings and décor that have been sourced direct from Dubai marketplaces.

The menu is inspired by the diverse flavours of the Emirati culture and will take guests on a culinary journey of Dubai combining the international flavour of the city’s cuisine with classic Middle Eastern dishes. It has been carefully developed by Epicure catering in conjunction with Emirates’ own Dubai-based Arabic cuisine expert, Nasser Iskeirjah.

It won’t just be food that will keep guests entertained. The Emirates Marquee will host the Dubai-based Ornina Theatrical Dance group, flown to Melbourne to perform Arabic Dancing for guests during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Emirates will celebrate two milestones at the 2013 Melbourne Cup Carnival including the 16th year of Emirates’ involvement with the Victoria Racing Club and 10 years as Principal Partner of the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off with Derby Day on 2nd November, followed by the Emirates Melbourne Cup day on 5th November, Oaks Day on 7th November and culminating with Emirates Stakes Day on 9th November.